What goes through the mind of the 12th man during a Test match

It’s not associated with cricket, but it’s definitely not an extricable part of the game. The twelfth man serves as a pivotal facet and helps in a team’s cause of taking strategies forward and re-energising the players.

While players on the field are busy, combining diverse permutations in relation to strategies, the twelfth man, in the dressing room, also has his mind crowded with thoughts.

We take a look at five thoughts that circulate inside the brains of a twelfth man.

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#5 Nor here nor there – Am I the only person ‘friend-zoned’?

There’s a dubious terminology that’s prevalent nowadays by the word - friend-zone, where one partner feels to be unjustly left stranded by the other. ‘I love you, but as a friend’- a pretty viral phrase used by all aspiring lovebirds, which is also a decent hit in the social media including Facebook and many more.

The role of a twelfth man is assumed to run parallel with friend-zone wherein a player neither remains out of the team, nor is he an official part of the team that’s present on the ground. It’s a tad harsh on behalf of the cricketer, but that’s the way it is for now.

Nevertheless, the role of a twelfth man can’t be looked down on and needs mobility just like putting in efforts for getting out of the friend-zone for a lover.

#4 The hidden skill - Is she watching? If she is, then there is no respite for me at home

Many a time spouses or girlfriends of cricketers show up for a match in the stadium to cheer for their hubbies or boyfriends and that’s pretty heartening, to say the least. It doesn’t matter whether they are inured to the intricacies of the game or not, they will pray for their partner’s well-being.

There’s a flip side to it and that can be menacing and to make it worse once can’t dupe the eyes. The twelfth man is in with a role that involves taking the field while a player is off, carrying drinks, communicating messages and strategical updates from time to time.

There might be a tinge of fear in their mind regarding the fact that their partners, like off-the-field, ensure a close look on them and might use it against them when the cricketers put up an excuse for not obeying to her demands. Tough life it is *laughing out loud*.

#3 Frustration creeping in - Will they make me cook now?

Though not a part of the playing XI, the twelfth man’s role in a Test match is far from relaxing the muscles, sitting on a cosy couch. They act as substitutes when fielders suffer niggles or take routine breaks, they carry towels, drinks at regular intervals.

There are stages in a match wherein a team is in a position of dominance and its captain is itching to call in for a declaration. It may also happen that a batsman is on the verge achieving a milestone and therefore keeping the interests of the team and also of the batsman in mind, the skipper sends out information.

They may not show it, but a bit of frustration might creep in regarding working an extra yard on the cricket field, but simply doing roundups from the dressing room to the pitch.

#2 So near, yet so far - Last time did I not prepare your drink properly captain?

Usually there are 15 members that are elected for a Test series, out of which 11 take the field. It’s the twelfth man that misses out tantalisingly. There’s no deeper agony when one misses out by a whisker, be it for any reason.

Twelfth man means that he is among the twelve best players, representing India on the International level, which is something to be proud of. But again, there’s some difference between warming the benches and honing your skills on the field of play.

Leave alone performances, there’s a whole lot of other things that passes the mind as reasons for not ending up playing the match- a miss of a practice session, a minor fight with the captain. Nonetheless, players are professional enough to comprehend the rationale behind their exclusion.

#1 Reputation at stake - I have made a hash of my reputation to the audience

It takes an eternity to carve out a respectable reputation while it can be demolished with a single act. It’s the duty of the twelfth man to serve the players and pass on messages from the coaching staff to the players in the playing arena.

However, a few portions of the crowd never leaves a chance to take a dig at players and make a mockery of them. As audience we expect cricketers to show their competence with the bat and the ball. A twelfth man can easily think that seeing him carrying drinks and towel may hamper their image as a cricketer.

Nonetheless, it will be hard to expect the same level of knowledge of the game from every person sitting in the stands. On the contrary, there are people who understand the value of every act involving the game.